D IS FOR DEER

I’m totally blaming Instagram for my latest project, D is for Deer. I follow the amazingly talented Sharon (of Lilabelle Lane) on Instagram and she was posting photos of her versions of these amazing felt soft toy projects by Jodie (of Ric-Rac) and I desperately wanted to make my own. Only one catch… I’ve never worked with felt or blanket stitches before.

I tried to put the project out of my mind, but I couldn’t stop wishing I had a deer of my own. I looked everywhere online to find somewhere that stocked kits and I had no joy. (Seriously, there’s a business opportunity there for someone, I bet there’s a few people out there wanting to start making felt softies but just don’t know where to start!)

When we were in Ballarat I got to see (and lovingly caress) Jodie‘s actual versions of her patterns and it just pushed me over the edge, I purchased the pattern for D is for Deer. 

I then had to track down all the supplies. I have to admit I had no clue where to start or what to use. Jodie was really lovely and helped me out on Instagram by letting me know what type of felt I needed and providing moral support.

The pattern is really handy and give great instructions on how to do a blanket stitch, which is handy for a beginner like me. I read through the pattern and decided to do them a little out of order so I could practice my blanket stitch on something a littler easier and on something that had a lot of excess felt so that if I needed to cut more pieces I could. So I made the antlers first.

With the antlers made I then decided to make the head… lets face it the heads where all the cute is at, right? I made the head and I was addicted and in love.

I’d never worked with safety eyes before and they didn’t come with any instructions so I hit up google. I found this useful tutorial that helped me get those little suckers on there (and they were hard!).  Despite how tricky they are to use those eyes totally make the face.

The pattern was really helpful, but it’s missing instructions on how to do the satin stitch nose and so I’m not really sure I’ve done it right but it works and so who am I to question it. (I’m going to do some googling for the next one!)

I wanted to use wooden buttons for the joints but I couldn’t find any in the sizes needed and so I ended up going with clear buttons. I jazzed him up a little with a little blue ribbon, but had I been able to knit him a little scarf I would have – he needs a scarf just like Dr Who!

I had so much fun making my little deer and I’m totally hooked. I’ve been eyeing off the animal alphabet patterns and I’m totally going to make the fox, turtle, hippo and giraffe.

For those of you wanting to make your own version of D is for Deer I’ve listed out where I purchased all my supplies (with links where possible) to help you put together your own kit.

• D is for Deer PDF Pattern from Ric-Rac or paper pattern from Cotton Factory.
• I purchased my safety eyes and felt from Two Blue Birdies. I used the following 100% Pure New Wool Felt in 1mm – Toasted Coconut Fleck, Dark Grey Fleck, Lavender, Ecru and Marine. I got the 4.5mm Safety Eyes (3 pair).
• I purchased the soft toy pellets, doll making needles, poly fill, buttons and embroidery thread from Spotlight.

If you make your own version of D is for Deer I’d love to see it! If you’ve got any tips on how to do a satin stitch, add safety eyes without breaking a nail and doing neater blanket stitches I’d love to hear them. My little deer is now hanging out in my sewing room with all my gnomies, I can’t wait to add more felt softies to my collection.

If you would like to purchase some great 100% wool felt and toy making supplies to make your own D is for Deer (or just add to your craft stash… can you say “more fabric”!) Sonya from Two Blue Birdies has given me a fabulous 15% off storewide coupon code ‘GNOMEANGEL’ the coupon expires on Friday 15 May 2015. Click here to get shopping!